In tense livestreamed exchange, Delhi cops ask Abhijeet Dipke to call off CP march; Central Park blockade planned

Delhi Police served a legal notice to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Anish Gawande in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, ahead of a planned "Lehra Do Tiranga" (Teach the Flag) march in Connaught Place. The notice, issued under Section 29 of the Delhi Police Act, prohibits Dipke from participating in any form of demonstration or public rally in the vicinity of Connaught Place. The encounter was captured in a live stream by the CJP, showing Dipke questioning the legality of unfurling the national flag and challenging the police on their actions. The notice was delivered by a team of Delhi Police personnel who remained at the residence for approximately 40 minutes. Visuals show Dipke signing the notice after writing on it, while holding the national flag. The police emphasized the need for maintaining public order and warned of strict legal action if the prohibitory orders were violated. According to police, the notice informed Dipke of existing restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which applies to the Connaught Place and Central Park areas. Dipke denied organizing an unauthorized protest, stating that the group's intent was solely to unfurl the national flag during the "Tiranga Yatra." However, the police maintained that the planned activity constituted an unlawful assembly. During the interaction, Dipke asked the officer, "Is the Tiranga unlawful?" and received a response affirming that it is "country's pride." The planned march follows the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which had recently been denotified as a protest site. Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody after being apprehended for unfurling the national flag near the location. Dipke, who arrived in Delhi from Maharashtra, announced the march as a symbolic gesture against the alleged irregularities involving the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Delhi Police have reportedly planned to deploy over 6,000 personnel in and around Connaught Place and central Delhi for the event. This would bring the total number of security personnel to around 32,000, including 26,000 from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The police have indicated that only a "select few people" may be allowed to conduct a march at a "suitable place," though no official confirmation has been given regarding the exact location. Anish Gawande, whose residence Dipke is currently occupying, expressed skepticism about the scale of police deployment around his home. He argued that similar demonstrations had occurred peacefully in multiple cities without causing widespread disruption. He also questioned why police resources were not focused on addressing crimes against women and improving public safety in the city. Dipke, in a separate statement, claimed that intelligence agencies were monitoring his movements and that vehicles without number plates had been following him. He vowed to continue his efforts despite potential detention, stating that he was prepared to face legal consequences for unfurling the national flag. He also criticized the government for allegedly harboring animosity toward the national symbol, questioning whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserved his position if he disliked the Tricolour. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the CJP and Delhi Police, particularly concerning the right to demonstrate and the enforcement of public order laws. While the CJP insists on its right to unfurl the national flag as a peaceful expression of patriotism, the police emphasize the need to prevent any disruption to public life in central Delhi. The outcome of this confrontation remains uncertain, with both sides preparing for a potentially contentious standoff.